Breathing Techniques for Heart and Brain Health

Most of the time, we take for granted the most basic yet utterly vital process of breathing. For our seniors, mindful breathing is the key to better health. Some of the health benefits they can enjoy include improved quality of sleep, mood enhancement, and lower levels of stress hormones. Numerous breathing techniques can also help your aged loved ones by improving their brain and heart health. So what breathing techniques can be helpful? 

6 Breathing Techniques for Your Senior Loved Ones

Diaphragmatic Breathing 

This technique is the basis of most relaxation techniques. Senior adults can benefit from it in various ways, including reducing the amount of air buildup in the lungs. This, in turn, can improve the amount of oxygen in the blood, which is great for the brain. Diaphragmatic breathing is relatively easy to do, and your senior loved ones will not really struggle with it. You can start by helping your senior loved one to sit or lie down in a comfortable position. Ask them to place one hand on their bellies and another on their chest. Lastly, they should breathe in through their nose and exhale through the mouth. 

Yoga 

Yoga is fun and a great way to meditate. Your senior loved ones will not only have a great time with it but also improve their heart health. Yoga includes deep breathing techniques that can help strengthen the heart by improving the blood flow and the amount of oxygen it gets. That also helps lessen the workload of your heart. Additionally, it's a great way to rid the brain of harmful toxins. 

Nostril Breathing Technique 

Another great technique your loved ones can try is the nostril breathing exercise. Here, you breathe in through one nostril by simply closing the other and continue the process by switching the nostrils. This can help improve your heart and brain health by reducing blood pressure, decreasing anxiety and agitation levels. 

Mantra Breathing 

A mantra is simply a word or a phrase that can help your loved one focus on their breathing. The phrase doesn't need to be something complicated, but rather, it can be anything. All your loved one needs to do is sit down comfortably and chant their word of choice between taking in deep breaths. This can help slow down their breathing and reduce the workload on their hearts. Additionally, blood flow will improve.

Number Breathing

Much like mantra breathing, this technique allows you to use numbers as a way to focus. However, in this case, your loved one doesn't just say the number but also pictures it. Have your loved ones stand still and close their eyes. They can start by taking in the deepest breath they possibly can and exhaling. From there, with every deep breath they take, they should picture a number until they reach 10. Plus, they should hold their breath for a couple of seconds before letting it out. 

Rib-Stretch Breathing Technique 

This technique is quite easy to master. It requires your loved ones to arch their backs while standing straight. You can help your loved ones remain in this position if they cannot do so independently. Now, have them take deep breaths until they cannot possibly inhale any more air and hold it for a couple of seconds. Next, let them expel it and repeat the procedure. 

Final Thoughts 

Breathing techniques have so many benefits that it's vital to help our senior loved ones try some of them. Contact us today for any help with your seniors.